Anthony Thompson named as new World Bank Uganda country manager

Anthony Thompson, the new World Bank Country Manager for Uganda
Anthony Thompson, who has been appointed as the new World Bank Country Manager for Uganda. Credit: Uganda Business News

Anthony Thompson has been appointed as the new country manager of the World Bank in Uganda, replacing Christina Malmberg Calvo whose assignment ended on July 31 2018, according to a statement from the country office.

Before his assignment to Uganda, Mr Thompson was the country manager for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, a role he assumed in August 2014. Ms. Malmberg Calvo, on the other hand, had served as Uganda country manager since May 2015.

“He also served as the manager for strategy and operations at the Human Development Network, based at the World Bank Group (WBG) Headquarters in Washington, DC,” a statement from the country office said.

In Uganda, Mr Thompson will oversee a portfolio of 26 projects totalling close to $3bn, most of it primarily financed by grants and credits from the International Development Association, the Bank’s concessional funding arm.

“Under his leadership, the World Bank will continue supporting inclusive growth and poverty reduction through a wide array of financial products and technical assistance,” the Bank’s statement said.

“The World Bank Group (WBG) Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for the period 2015/16 to 2020/21 supports the Government of Uganda’s vision of a transformed, modern and prosperous country by 2040.

“The program is focusing on raising rural incomes by increasing agricultural productivity and commercialization and reducing vulnerability to shocks; investing in better service delivery, particularly in health and education; improving the business environment and access to infrastructure services, all of which are underpinned by strengthening governance and accountability.”

Mr Thompson has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from the University of Ulster and a Masters of Business Administration (Honours) with a specialization in Finance from the University of Chicago.

He joined the World Bank Group in 1992 on the Young Professional Program, and worked on human development projects for the Middle East and North Africa region’s country operations department.

“He has worked in several different capacities, including operations officer, lead financial sector specialist, operations advisor, and sector manager. Throughout his career in the World Bank, he has worked extensively in financial sector, private sector development, and tax administration,” the statement said.

“In addition to human development, Thompson’s areas of expertise include health, HIV/AIDS prevention, and financial sector reforms.”

Mr Thompson is married with three children.